Talking Safely Online
Sita likes to visit a website where kids can post messages about school, their favorite TV shows, and current events. She really likes a kid who uses the screen name CJcool11. When Sita shares a problem she has at school, CJcool11 always has good ideas for handling the problem. Even though she has never met CJcool11 in person, Sita thinks of CJcool11 as a friend.
One day, while messaging, CJcool11 and Sita compare their two schools.
Sita types, “My school principal is so strict. We have to walk through the halls in straight lines!”
CJcool11 answers, “My school isn’t so strict. What’s the name of your school?”
This question gives Sita a bad feeling. Sita feels uncomfortable about giving that information to CJcool11.
She types back, “Uh, my school’s name is too hard to spell.”
CJcool11 types, “So where is your school?”
Why do you think Sita gets a bad feeling when CJcool11 asks for the name of her school?
What should Sita answer?
What makes this answer a good one?
Use Common Sense!
· If things get creepy or uncomfortable when you’re chatting online, take action.
· Log out of the website or messaging service
· Tell a parent or trusted adult
· Ignore the person, or block that person from chatting with you